Introduction
League leaders Liverpool were handed just their second defeat of the 2024-25 Premier League season after a thrilling 3-2 loss against Fulham at Craven Cottage on Sunday afternoon. Despite a thunderous opener from Alexis Mac Allister and a spirited second-half comeback attempt led by Luis Diaz, Arne Slot’s men came up short on their travels for the first time this campaign.
Mac Allister’s Screamer Ignites a Promising Start
Under clear blue skies in the capital, Liverpool made a lively start and it didn’t take long for their quality to shine through. Alexis Mac Allister, continuing his fine form in midfield, delivered a moment of pure brilliance just 14 minutes in.
Picking up a loose ball in Fulham’s half, the Argentine shrugged off Sander Berge and surged toward goal. From 20 yards out, he unleashed a powerful, curling effort that left Bernd Leno grasping at thin air. It was a sensational strike worthy of winning any match and gave the Reds a deserved 1-0 lead.
Fulham Roar Back to Stun the League Leaders
Liverpool’s early dominance started to fade as Fulham capitalised on defensive errors and seized momentum in the first half. The equaliser came in the 23rd minute when Ibrahima Konate, under pressure inside his own area, failed to clear decisively. Andreas Pereira’s cross was only half-dealt with and fell kindly to Ryan Sessegnon, who fired a confident first-time strike past Caoimhin Kelleher. Then came a whirlwind five minutes that completely turned the game on its head.
Alex Iwobi was alert to intercept Andy Robertson’s careless pass across his own box. After cutting inside and letting fly, his shot took a deflection off Robertson himself, wrong-footing Kelleher and nestling into the net. Craven Cottage erupted as Fulham took the lead.
Moments later, a scrappy phase of play led to Fulham’s third. Iwobi, again in the thick of it, saw his chipped effort balloon high into the air. Rodrigo Muniz was the quickest to react, bringing the ball down brilliantly and slotting past Kelleher to make it 3-1 to the hosts.
The Reds were stunned. From leading the match with a highlight-reel goal, they found themselves two goals down within a chaotic 12-minute spell.
Slot’s Tactical Tweaks and a Wave of Substitutions
With Liverpool trailing at the break, Arne Slot knew changes were needed. The pace and structure that characterised their early play had disintegrated. Ten minutes into the second half, the Dutchman made a bold double switch Luis Diaz and Harvey Elliott came on for Gakpo and Szoboszlai, and the impact was immediate.
Diaz brought energy, directness, and purpose. Within minutes of his arrival, he whipped in a delightful cross for Mohamed Salah, who met it on the half-volley, only to sky his attempt over the bar.
Slot later introduced Conor Bradley and Darwin Nunez, the former making his first appearance in nearly two months following a muscle injury. It would be a key move.
Diaz Reignites Hope With Cool Finish
Liverpool’s pressure finally paid off in the 72nd minute. Conor Bradley, ever a threat with his intelligent runs, collected a pass in midfield and smartly threaded the ball through to Diaz. The Colombian winger, full of pace and precision, touched the ball past his marker before poking a composed finish beyond Leno to pull one back for the Reds.
With 18 minutes left and the scoreline at 3-2, Liverpool were back in the game and they weren’t done pushing.
The Crossbar Denies Elliott As Liverpool Pour Forward
The Reds continued to probe with urgency and nearly found their leveller just seven minutes after Diaz’s goal. A dangerous low delivery from Robertson evaded everyone in the box and landed at the feet of Harvey Elliott on the right flank. With the goal in his sights, Elliott cut inside and curled a beautiful effort toward the far corner, only for the ball to crash against the crossbar and bounce away agonisingly.
Slot’s side came agonisingly close again in stoppage time. Elliott and substitute Federico Chiesa both had opportunities in the dying moments, but neither could find the net. Kelleher also had to be at his sharpest to deny Harrison Reed with a brilliant late save to keep Liverpool’s hopes alive.
Team News: One Change and a Welcome Return
Arne Slot made just one change to the side that beat Everton midweek, bringing in Cody Gakpo in place of Luis Diaz. Conor Bradley was a welcome sight on the bench as he returned from injury.
Liverpool’s Starting XI: Kelleher, Van Dijk, Konate (Bradley 67’), Szoboszlai (Elliott 55’), Mac Allister, Salah, Curtis Jones, Gakpo (Diaz 55’), Jota (Nunez 67’), Robertson (Chiesa 86’), Gravenberch.
Unused subs: Jaros, Endo, Tsimikas, Quansah.
What This Means for the Title Race
Despite the defeat, Liverpool remain firmly in control at the top of the Premier League. They hold an 11-point advantage with just seven games to go. It’s a position most teams would envy but Arne Slot will want his side to learn from this setback.
This result is a reminder that nothing can be taken for granted in the Premier League, especially against a spirited side like Fulham, who were clinical, energetic, and showed great desire from the first whistle to the last.
Slot’s Reds will need to regroup quickly as the business end of the season approaches. Every point counts now, and with crucial fixtures still ahead, Liverpool must bounce back immediately.
Conclusion
Yes, Liverpool lost. But this was not a collapse it was a rare off-day in a remarkable season. Fulham were excellent, and the Reds, to their credit, fought to the very end. Mac Allister’s screamer and Diaz’s return to form are positives to carry forward.
The title charge continues, and this defeat could serve as the wake-up call needed to sharpen focus and fuel the fire for the remaining fixtures.
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YNWA (You’ll Never Walk Alone)!
The Liverpool FC Times Team
LiverpoolFCTimes.com